Fundraisers in Welshampton have now raised more than £70,000 for charity by holding a successful plant event for the 13th consecutive year.

This year, the villagers came up with a new format for the popular annual event, held on Bank Holiday Monday, May 7 in Welshampton Parish Hall and raised £3,200.

The plant fair was replaced by Welshampton Passion for Plants, an all-ticket afternoon event, at which John Rippin, head gardener at Bodnant Garden - the National Trust’s flagship property near Colwyn Bay - was the guest speaker.

Retaining links to plant fairs of the past, there was a selection of quality plants and delicious home-made refreshments on sale.

In addition, there was a silent auction of a limited number of donated unusual specimen plants, for which this annual event is famous. All the donated plants sold for more than expected.

The proceeds will again be divided between Macmillan Cancer Support in Shropshire and the upkeep of Saint Michael and All Angels Church, Welshampton.

Event co-ordinator Gill Eleftheriou said more than 100 tickets were sold for the event and the feedback from those that attended was “wonderful”. She thanked everyone who had attended and contributed to making the new event such a great success.

“Everybody thoroughly enjoyed the event, which was a lovely, relaxed and friendly afternoon for garden-lovers.

“John Rippin divided his 80-minute talk into two halves with a 10-minute break in the middle and people were totally absorbed. He really is an interesting and top-notch speaker.

“To have raised more than £70,000 for charity in 13 years is a great achievement by Welshampton villagers and demonstrates the fantastic community spirit that we have here.”